CHENNAI — A new and innovative tidal mangrove nursery, the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu, has been established at Killai near Pichavaram in Cuddalore district. The facility currently holds around three lakh saplings and is specifically designed to harden mangrove seedlings under natural tidal conditions, leading to significantly higher post-transplant survival rates.
Unlike conventional nurseries that struggle to replicate the harsh coastal environment, this new method utilizes the area’s natural tidal movement. Seedlings are kept on floating platforms in tidal waters for six to eight months, during which they acclimatize to salinity, water movement, and tidal fluctuations. This process physically transforms the seedlings from soft, tender growth into a hardier, more resilient form with thicker stems.
Forest Range Officer B. Iqbal, who developed the method, reported that the survival rate is “more than 90%.”
Four specific mangrove species are currently being raised: Avicennia marina, Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, and Rhizophora apiculata. These species were selected primarily for their size, as smaller species would be more vulnerable to complete submersion during high tides.
The new approach is expected to support long-term restoration efforts across the region under both the Green Tamil Nadu Mission and the World Bank-funded Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission. Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu noted that a key advantage of the tidal nursery is that it facilitates year-round propagation, ensuring a steady supply of planting material regardless of short seed collection windows.